On top the world at the dam wall 😂
Some days are diamond and this was one of them.We had an extremely comfortable night and had a wakeup call from @Jenny. No missing deadlines here, everything is called over the PA system which is piped into your room - you can turn it down - but not off. No matter, ensured we were up in plenty of time to be on time.
First morning on the China Goddess 2 and we enjoyed a start in the dining room on level 5. A calmer experience to kick off the day with endless coffee choices, sparkling champagne(if desired) and wonderful selections of food. The only downer is that you can't "linger" - have to eat and run because the ladies from the .. tribe were arriving loaded with ttheir baskets of flowers .
What did we do today?
The tribes of the three gorges
Off the ship, in the cable car, on the bus and then on foot for the excursion. We were lead today by the lovely @Madeleine on a trip organised by the cruise company.
Cable car to the top to start the journey
Lots of explanations on the bus journey - but it's never "crystal clear" in China
We were part of a "bilingual" group which meant @Madeline did the speil in Chinese and then repeated it in English. Lots of fascinating information was shared giving us an insight into this ethnic community their traditions, lifestyle and challenges.
The impact of daming the Yangtze on this community was shared on the journey with some 100 000 people displaced as the "first contributers" to the dam. The water is 170 + metres deep in this area and the homes/communities are now submerged.
The tour was a 3 km walk around the boardwalk constructed along the banks of the gorge. At various points, elements of the past life of the villagers were re-enacted. The boat rescue, the marriage ceremony, fishing, water mills, traditional dance, flutes and music and the echoed calls across the valley. This was supported by a backdrop dripping with beauty - mountains, river, mist, lush vegetation and the vibrant colours of costumes. So beautiful.
For our little group all the details were amplified because at about the 15 minute mark we found that we were the only 6 in @Madeline's group. All the Chinese speaking guests had skedaddled early and the Aussie crew dropped off in dribs and drabs. Jackpot! We had a personal tour guide. Every question was answered and we had the bonus of our own photographer who positionef us for the prime angles. @Madeline loved that we were so interested in her personal stories and even sang a song for us.
And, predictably, yet inexplicably, we continue to be the photographic magnet for the locals. At one stage @Madeline had to wave them away and say "No more " because we were going miss the show.
Managed to get a close up with the monkeys - they were a little naughty causing all sorts of rukus along the path and saw the hanging coffins that were part of the funnery rituals.
The cultural show was a storytelling re-enactment of the marriage ceremony, which included a snippet of the 15 days of crying that the bride does as she prepares to leave her family. In real life, the prospective groom would have spent three years in the wife's village working for free to impress her parents. In today's show, the groom was selected by tossing a red cloth bow. The Chinese gentleman who was targeted for this was less than enthisiastic.. . but, with lots of audience encouragement he rose to the occasion. Lots of comedy here, highlighted in the last scene, where a "shadow" of the marriage bedroom was shown, followed by the appearance of a wailing baby.
A slow final walk back and we were done. It had all been so uplifting. Can even say it was right up there with the pandas, because we had somehow jagged the perfect guide with the perfect number in the group.
A little break
Only had 1 hour up our sleeves but prioritised picking up some provisions for our fridge including a mystery 42% bottle of white something that we are going to try out of curiosity and a few subdued additions of red.
Assembled for a lunch that offered so many choices including a delicate duck breast that melted in your mouth.
Three Gorges Dam
Chop chop, back on the buses. This time under the leadership @Leila to meet up with local guide @Lee for our tour of the dam. Needless to say, the repetition of anything that included "the dam wall" became the running joke.
The mist now mixed with light rain
Did seem like every boat along the river bank had disgorged all of their passengers because the upper car park was wall to wall buses! They certainly know how to move people along.
@ Lee did a great job woth the commentary and there was plenty to see and lean on the 30 minute trip that delivered us to the gates of the sprawling government run complex. High security here and everyone was herded off the buses and then led through a security check similar to the airport. It was literally a walk through - and once checked, with passport and ticket in hand, it was back on the buses to make the final ascent to the tourist platform.
Again, quite mind boggling. After an explanation by @Lee at the model, all visitors were conveyed by a series of outdoor escalators up to the higher levels. Just a constant stream of passengers.
The Three Gorges Dam, based on a 1944 design created by the American expert Dr Savage (also responsible for the Hoover Dam) is the world’s largest hydroelectric power station. Completed in 2012, it spans 2.3 kilometers and stands 185 meters tall.
@Lee explained that the dam plays a key role in flood control, electricity generation, and river navigation and had lots of firsts to share and an explanation for any query.
Moved from one section to the next in small electric carts
Can you get your head around this? This one dam supports the electricity needs of a single county - and the population of the county is larger than Australia's population!
Distant views of the lock and the lift
We scaled the monument to the highest point, took on the details ar the information centre and definitely enjoyed the panoramic views that were on offer. There was interest in the group to visit the Ship Lift- unfortunately it was closed for maintenance. Might have to come back again.
Dinner and the Captain's Welcome
Back on board in time for a shower to freshen up for dinner and then up that one flight of stairs to the dining room come entertainment space.
Again, enjoyed the variety on offer at dinner and got very smart with the countdown for the timing of drinks . Managed to squeeze in the coffee (complete with a shot of Kahlua) for for the drinks package inclusion expired. Defonotwly am art to it.
@Tina continues to look after us and we were so delighted to see her doubling as part of the performance group. The Captain said a few words and then it was over to the performers. @Denise almost successfully recorded @Tina's performance but missed the essential step of hitting the record button. Thank goodness for Cruise Director @Jenny who serms to be everywhere and notice everything. Her arm appeared out of nowhere as she gently slide the phone into video mode.
With the formalities complete, it was a set of well known crowd pleasers by the DJ. The conga line got everyone on their feet and led all willing and able to the dance floor for rowdy numbers that culminated in the Chicken Dance. Everyone was on their feet so why not pull up a square around your table and grab your serviettes and start some moves of your own. It was wild and the numbers in our corner kept growing. I am pleased to report that no-one found their way onto a tabletop - at last, we are exercising some restraint .... maybe we are just showing our age.
Last drinks were enjoyed on the balcony - including a concerted effort to drink more water. No chance anyone in our group didn't get their step count up today. We were knackered.
PS We all have our own way of dealing with the toilet challenges. We have acknowledged that @Cheryl is the "Queen of clean" when it comes to a Western toilet and we have lovingly dubbed her our "personal stylist."
Note the detail in the paper array
Just by the way - this is the toilet I was locked in. To attract attention I banged out a series of dots and dashes as a distress call. Apparently @Von was in no hurry to jump in and rescue me and suggested "Let her enjoy that a bit more." Apparently it was a lot more fun from their side of the door.
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